Sunday, December 14, 2014

Festive Rosemary and Toasted Caraway Shortbread

I don’t know about you but if I don’t know how I accomplished my Christmas shopping before the internet. This year has definitely gotten away from me and I can’t seem to get back on track. Thank goodness for Amazon prime 2 day free shipping. Today I decided to take a breather and just enjoy the little things around me. The smell of our fresh Christmas tree, the lights, and our neighbor's outdoor home decorations. (My sister gave me a few veggie ornaments, see above.)

The recipe today is a sweet and savory shortbread. It is laced with rosemary and toasted caraway seeds and then topped with a touch of sanding sugar. The savory and sweet notes offset each other perfectly and the more crispy parts along the edges were my favorite. I think that this is a very sophisticated and festive baked treat and I will be making this again, freezing it and then baking it a few hours before guest arrive. Next time I might try fresh thyme and lemon zest, I can see so many possibilities.

Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare two-8: diameter cake pans with butter and then dust with a sprinkling of flour. Set aside.

In a small dry skillet over medium-high heat toast caraway seeds, tossing occasionally about 2 minutes. Set aside.

Using an electric or stand mixer add sugars and butter together and mix until light and fluffly. Recipes reads 7 to 10 minutes. I mixed the entire 10 minutes, stopping long enough to quickly push down the sides.

Reduce the mixer to low and add flour, caraway seeds and rosemary, mix until just combined. Dough will not look perfect. Pat dough into a oblong ball and then cut in half. Press dough into each pan using your fingers and the back of a large spoon. Brush with egg and then sprinkle with turbinado or sanding sugar and top each with the whole rosemary leaves.

Bake until shortbread is golden brown on top 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer pans to wire rack. After pans have cooled, turn out gently. Cut into slices. Enjoy!

Recipe had been slightly adapted from Bon Appetit, magazine, December 2013.

Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

I often wonder how I managed to work, raise two kids and get through Christmas with family living a thousand miles away and not fall over. I was able to do all my American family Christmas gifts in about 3 hours and the packages have arrived.

I need to make breads more often. This looks fantastic, Cheri. I am no anywhere near done with shopping and am in panic mode now because I have no idea what to buy, lol.Always love seeing what you will come up with next. Great recipe!

I love the ornaments..AND this twist on plain rosemary shortbreads.I think I have to make these too:)I must admit online shopping is great.If you are a regular Amazon member though I have to say shipping has slipped..a lot.I was happy to find other companies that shipped within 2 days..free..no minimum amount.

Thank goodness for online shopping! My sister and I have definitely been using it to make our Christmas shopping easier, and I bought all my boyfriend's presents online so I didn't have to trek around to tech stores with no idea what I was talking about!These shortbreads look like the perfect sweet/savoury nibble to have on hand with some sharp cheddar and a glass of bubbly while sitting and watching the Christmas lights :)

I don't think I've ever had a savoury shortbread! This looks fabulous. I agree that before the internet, how did we do our shopping? I'm feeling very disorganised as actually haven't yet started my shopping. Horrifying! xx

I totally agree with how online gift shopping has helped us so much more this year. We are actually done all of our shopping so early for once except for a few little things here and there. Love this savory twist on shortbread,, it sounds fantastic!

Actually, I usually do nearly all my shopping online, but this year I haven't at all! I just realised that while reading this post!I've never ever come across any savory shortbread before, but why not?? This sounds just wonderful. I bet it would be great with posh cheeses for Christmas tea!

You are right, Cheri! This is one sophisticated swirl of sweet and savory mixed into perfection....P.s. I am sooo on the same page about time slipping away so swiftly. And am grateful for the Amazon Prime which help me fulfill my duties as Mrs. Santa!

I do almost all of my shopping via the internet, too. Hate crowded stores! Although I wonder if they're so crowded these days, with internet shopping so popular? Anyway, This is a lovely dish. It is indeed festive -- perfect for the holidays. Speaking of which, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!